by Dan Wolken, USA TODAY Sports

by Dan Wolken, USA TODAY Sports

Fresh off winning a national title with Florida State, defensive coordinator Jeremy Pruitt will take the same position at Georgia.

Coach Mark Richt made the announcement in a statement Tuesday. The Atlanta Journal-Constitution first reported the move.

"I'm ecstatic," Richt said.

"This is an outstanding professional and personal opportunity," Pruitt said. "I'm looking forward to meeting the current players and getting on the road to visit with recruits."

Pruitt, 39, is considered one of the rising stars in the coaching business. A former high school coach in Alabama, he joined Nick Saban's staff as a player personnel director in 2007 and then moved to defensive backs coach in 2010.

Florida State coach Jimbo Fisher gave him a shot as coordinator last January, and Pruitt guided a defense ranked second in the nation, allowing just 254 yards per game.

At Georgia, he will replace Todd Grantham, who left this week for the same position at Louisville. Grantham had been criticized for leading defenses that underperformed the past two years. Pruitt will inherit a defense at Georgia with every key contributor set to return in 2014.